There is more to this species than its majestic coat of thick white feathers and piercing yellow eyes

These owls have specialized feathers that make their flight nearly silent

Has the body of a duck, neck of a goose, and voice of a goose having a bad day

They flip the script — literally!

The only long-distance migratory dove in Europe

Timid by nature, often flying off at the slightest sign of danger

One of Europe’s oldest surviving deer species

One of the most widespread and adaptable herons in the world

In Iceland, its arrival is eagerly awaited as it signifies the end of the harsh winter

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

A big, harmless snake that likes to live near freshwater

The mosaic-shelled marvel of the Mediterranean

Famous for stealing chips, sandwiches, and even ice cream right out of people’s hands

Excellent climbers, capable of scaling rocky slopes and walls with ease

This bird taps its feet to imitate rain to make the prey reach the surface

Their keen vision enables them to scan vast landscapes, identifying small movements or potential prey items even from high altitudes

Their favorite snack? Large insects like locusts and dragonflies

Renowned for their spectacular aerial displays during courtship, including steep dives and intricate flight patterns

Arguably among the most beautiful songbirds in the world — they enjoy singing after a rain shower

The flocks of this social and gregarious bird are fond of migration, flying over the horizon and creating a V-shaped formation

Its long, serrated beak, often called a “sawbill,” is perfectly adapted for catching slippery prey like fish

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

It is one of the most widespread and familiar amphibians in Europe

The masters of catching oysters, clams, and cockles

Brilliant mimics, they can copy bird calls and even human-made sounds like car alarms and ringing phones!

A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Sometimes called the “squirrels of the weasel family” due to their impressive arboreal abilities

At the first sign of danger, it will quickly dive into the water and hide

Can hang upside down while feeding!

They’re kind of like big, furry rats but with a different shape

Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!

Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!

They might not look like much, but they have an incredible talent: singing!

Males are particularly eye-catching with their black and white plumage, looking like they’re wearing a little tuxedo

Can be quite friendly and will often come close to humans, especially if they’re offered food

Underneath this colorful beak, there’s a hidden surprise – a built-in net for scooping up a delicious lunch!

Swift, enjoys harsh weather, adores the mountains, and is toxic to its predators

Unlike rabbits, they don’t live in burrows, instead, they make shallow nests in the grass called forms

A tiny bird, one of the smallest in fact!

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

Very active and noisy, with a loud, piercing call that sounds like “pee-wit”

Known to be fiercely protective of their nesting sites and will aggressively defend their territory from intruders, including humans

Often called the “singer of the night,” it produces a complex and beautiful melody that has captivated people for centuries

Have been observed remembering the locations of their impaled prey and even using tools to help them catch food

Has the ability to survive in varying water salinity levels, which is unusual for freshwater amphibians

Its shell is a beautifully patterned dome that offers both protection and style

Can live for several decades under the right conditions, but grow slowly and only reach maturity after several years

Usually green, but its color can change a bit depending on where it lives and what it’s doing

The biggest of all the hammerhead sharks, with a massive head that looks like a giant, flat hammer

What makes them really interesting is their skin – it’s covered in lots of little bumpy scales, like tiny pearls

Symbol of environmental health as they are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, particularly pollution levels

Known for their acrobatic leaps, twisting and turning gracefully as they jump completely out of the water

Often seen riding the bow waves of boats or performing acrobatic leaps out of the water

When threatened, they roll into a tight, spiky ball, tucking in their face, feet, and belly

Known for their graceful movements and the distinctive “S” shape of their neck

They spread faster than any other colonizing mammal in the world

Often lives close to humans and is sometimes seen as a pest

Their horns are curved backward, resembling a hook or a pair of lyre-shaped instruments

Very loyal partners! Once they find a mate, they usually stay together for life

One of the most common reptile of the European wetlands

Their stiff, upright tail feathers aid them in swimming and diving

A warty amphibian with golden eyes

The “living tractors of the East”—vital in traditional agriculture, particularly in Asia

Can walk along the riverbed using its wings to stabilize itself against the current

One of the most hunted, widespread, ancient, and well-known game birds

Not only one of the largest deer species but also among the most majestic

During breeding, they transform with elegant white plumage, adorned by decorative plumes on the head, neck, and back

The males, in particular, produce a rich and intricate song that contributes to their charm

They consistently display a restless demeanor and exhibit a distinctive, tail-trembling behavior

Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

Their migratory behavior is often linked to the availability of insects for food

Speed and power embodied, they rule the seas with their sleek bodies and jaw-dropping leaping prowess

Majestic giants of the sea, they peacefully glide through the ocean with mouths agape, filtering the waters for sustenance

Majestic ocean predators, embodying power, speed, and precision in their pursuit of prey

One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world

Resilient creature that can thrive in human-dominated environments

A small, burrowing snake that can’t see well but can smell its way to a tasty insect

With the agility of a nimble climber, it effortlessly slithers up trees and through tangled vegetation

Known for its docile and non-aggressive nature

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the world’s most widely distributed carnivore!

Possessed with special visual adaptations to catch fish

Fiercely territorial, marking their territory with scent to communicate with other otters

They are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 30 seconds underwater

A tiny creature that dwells below the surface in a complex system of tunnels and burrows

Meet the world’s smallest mammal but a fierce predator

The second largest bear, right after the polar bear. Sadly, it well might top the list soon

Their population distribution is often associated with human settlements as they are comfortable in both agricultural and urban habitats

These elegant acrobats perform a perfectly timed and skilled somersault as they approach their chosen resting site

Their muzzle has wrinkled lips, which makes them look like a dog’s face, and is commonly called a bulldog bat

The smallest carnivorous predator in the world and so have limited fat stores and need to eat more than 50% of the body weight

A small, fierce predator known for its agility, hunting skills, and color-changing fur

Due to their adaptability and willingness to migrate to more favorable habitats, great cormorants are found worldwide

The most cosmopolitan of owls with home ranges extending across the globe

Aptly named after the goddesses of wisdom and war, little owls have lived alongside human civilizations since 500 BC

This cute and small bird is one of the most elite hunters below the water’s surface